Two 'Crash-Prone' Sections of Rt. 9 to be Improved
The state is providing grants to improve sections of Rt. 9 in Manalapan and Old Bridge.
Manalapan and Old Bridge Townships were awarded a Safe Corridor grant from the state valued at nearly $165,000. The two sections that will be receiving improvements have been deemed “Safe Corridor” areas by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT).
The grant is a part of the state’s Safe Corridor Program, which is funding 55 grants across the state for a total of $2 million. All of the roadways included in the Safe Corridor Program are the state’s most crash-prone corridors, totaling 130 miles of state roadway.
The Safe Corridor program is a part of the state’s “Safety First” initiative which focuses on increasing police force, raising fines for hazardous driving and unsafe equipment, and enhancing driver education.
The three-mile section of Rt. 9 from Craig Road to Covered Bridge Boulevard will receive safety improvements; Manalapan will be provided $55,147 to apply the safety improvements to this portion of the highway. Old Bridge will be receiving $109,542 for improvements on over six miles of Rt. 9 near the intersection of Rt. 34 south of Texas Road.
Senator Sam Thomspon and Assemblyman Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton stated that this grant will allow finally officials implement increased safety initiatives in the high-accident sections of state Highway Route 9.
“These two sections of Route 9 are notorious for frequent and severe accidents,” Dancer said. “This funding will allow us to continue our efforts in making these areas safer for both drivers and pedestrians.”
The money supplied in the grants could be used to install enforcement equipment, like radar and cameras, and could also be used to fund salaries and overtime for enhanced enforcement personnel and community safety information.
“We are thankful to be able to deliver vital safety improvements that can save lives and protect motorists, passengers and pedestrians along one of the state’s most crash-prone routes,” said Thompson. “Such results are priceless.”
Mike
2:56 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
They can start by making it a little more pedestrian friendly for the NJT bus riders by adding sidewalks from stops not at intersections so pedestrians can safely walk to the nearest traffic light (the Covered Bridge and Monmouth Heights/Plaza 9 stops come to mind, I don't think there are other stops in that stretch not at lights). Dedicated bike paths on the shoulders wouldn't be bad either,
Shep Proudfoot
4:29 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
How does raising fines make it "safe"?
JosephGhabourLaw
5:12 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
If saving lives isn't enough for you, separate, bicycle-pedestrian paths can increase property values by up to $8,800. As well, local residents can walk to destinations, and free up parking spots for those who choose to drive to destinations.
http://128.175.63.72/projects/DOCUMENTS/bikepathfinal.pdf
cynicinmarlboro
6:59 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
With all the traffic and the mis-timed lights on Route 9 it's hard to see anything making it better or safer. I think it would just be a waste of money. Of course, if the towns raise the fines it will more than pay for itself (just like those ridiculous red light cameras).
Herky
7:38 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
I feel by raising the fines, now you actually see some patrol cars along these sections.,and not parked a DD.
Mike
8:59 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The town could make a fortune just ticketing the drivers on the shoulder headed to the Taylor Mills jug-handle on 9 North.
wickets
9:21 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
that one and all the others on 9.
lori
12:35 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
How long did it take for a traffic light on Route 34 and Spring Hill Road ?!? I'll tell you how long...a girl had to die for that traffic light.
Old Bridge should concentrate on ALL areas of Old Bridge. We need additional traffic lights on Route 34! They can start by placing a traffic light at the intersection of Rt 34 and Cheesequake Morristown Road!!!
lori
12:36 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
How about a pedestrian friendly sidewalk and bike route along the entire length of Route 34 beginning where Route 9 and Route 34 intersect?!?
The Old Bridge police department should NOT receive additional funding for overtime. If anything more of them should lose their job. We do not require more police-we require a higher standard of living. Once again the government has proved they are willing to waste money on programs that will allow top officials in local government to squander and steal those funds allocated for improvements.
Concerned07726
11:31 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
Old Bridge police already are a cash cow for the town. I loathe them and their cocky attitude. They should fire all the brass. The State need to investigate Old Bridge police dept now and that lanky prosecutor and his pre court pre-amble regarding legal rights fighting a ticket. I am not a lawyer but think that his pre trial speech is biased and a scare tactic, effectively preventing an accused a fair traffic court trial.
lori
12:36 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Small local government has FAILED the residents of New Jersey on every level from congestion on highways, crumbling roadways to non-pedestrian friendly access along EVERY highway and road in the state of New Jersey. A side note...how many shopping malls does New Jersey really need?!? What's the deal with the empty Lowes building Route 9?!? How long will that sit vacant?!? Although since the building went vacant THAT intersection at Route 9 is a little less congested. Hmmm....
Every interesection and roadway in Old Bridge should receive examination. ( I personally wish we could finally end local government. Local government is a waste of time and tax payer money. One government for one state - every road treated the same REGARDLESS if it is a highway or sidestreet. Eliminate tolls on every road in New Jersey - except at bordering state lines. If you live in New Jersey you will pay for ALL roads and ALL roads are treated as equal. No more tolls on the parkway and turnpike. Because of the toll rise on the turnpike, traffic on the GPS has increased).
I am sick and tired of New Jersey and it's corrupt ways. Someday local government will cease to exist in the form it presently operates in - for the sake of the environment and the people we have no choice but to change our ways.
John Jay
12:49 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Sorry -- I will take my local government over the Left Wing, Obama Boot Licking Democrats that are still in the state government any day.
Lori -- your statement is pretty disturbing: "Every interesection and roadway in Old Bridge should receive examination. ( I personally wish we could finally end local government. Local government is a waste of time and tax payer money. One government for one state"
Are we to believe that there is no such thing as corruption at the state level? Are you trying to tell me that a Left Wing member of the Assembly or Senate from Hudson County knows what's best for Marlboro or Manalapan?
Are there problems at the local and state level? You bet! Consolidating power over local governments into the hands of a largely Left Wing state government is not only foolish, it defies the intent of our state and federal constitution.
I suggest you read the New Jersey State Constitution: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/lawsconstitution/constitution.asp
I also suggest you read the United States Constitution and other documents related to freedom and liberty: http://constitution.org/
Concerned07726
11:20 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
Please no more police on RT 9 in Old Bridge. Old Bridge police are already having a field day on Rt 9 $$$$$. Unnecessary ticketing for landscape dump trucks with nothing in the truck bed (uncovered bed ticket) and drumroll please biggest scam...The right shoulder solid white line criminals tickets. They really need to expand the vehicle capacity for the turn lanes. Increasing fines is never a deterrent just a way for politicans to scam more money.
Concerned07726
11:25 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
Just came back from Myrtle Beach. I was amazed at how the rest of the country is not subject to the oppressive tolls and beach badge fees that we pay here in N.J. The roads are well maintained and money is being spent on new and maintaining the birdges and roadways. What is the problem jersey with local govt, corruption, unions raising labor costs/Mafia Surcharge raising road project cost?